Bears Ears National Monument

The Story of Bears Ears National Monument

With strong religious community support, President Obama designated Bears Ears National Monument on December 28, 2016. Read the Presidential Proclamation, which includes details about how the monument will be managed. The Bears Ears region is a unique place full of profound cultural, spiritual, historical, recreational, and ecological riches. The monument is historic because it is the first and only U.S. national monument that primarily focuses on Indigenous heritage. By order of the Presidential Proclamation, the Bears Ears Commission of officially appointed tribal representatives will share their land stewardship gifts and expertise with the Department of Interior. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration has not met with the Bears Ears Commission of Tribes, demonstrating disrespect for their leadership.On April 26, 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing the Department of Interior to conduct a review of national monuments, to determine whether they should be eliminated or shrunk. In July 2017, US Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke recommended dramatic reduction in size and protections for Bears Ears. On December 4, President Trump signed a presidential proclamation reducing Bears Ears National Monument by 85%, endangering tens of thousands of Native American sacred sites, and crucial wildlife habitats.

Religious Community Statements of Support for the establishment of Bears Ears National Monument

UTAH OPINION POLLCreation Justice Ministries has been disappointed by Utah decision-makers' lack of support for the monument vision cast by the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition. To investigate whether these Utah decision-makers' actions reflect the will of their constituents, Creation Justice Ministries commissioned a poll of Utah voters regarding support for proposed Bears Ears national monument. Public Opinion Strategies conducted the poll in May 2016 and found 71% of Utah voters support the proposed Bears Ears national monument, while only 20% oppose it.​ Download the poll press release. See a summary of key findings from the poll.See the poll's interview schedule.

TAKE ACTION* Call Secretary Zinke (202) 208-6317 or Tweet to Secretary Zinke: http://bit.ly/2kTN2Gv* Help raise public awareness. Make your Facebook profile show your support for Bears Ears National Monument* Watch and share thisinteractive videoto tour Bears Ears National Monument* Post on social media at #StandWithBearsEars.